[Utah] BYU President Ernest L. Wilkinson makes first reference in his diary to receiving reports from student "spy ring" he has authorized and which becomes national scandal within ten months. (3)-- 45 years ago - Apr 29,1965

1 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com2 - Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,3 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996

[U.S. Religious History] The 100th General Assembly of the Southern Presbyterian Church (PCUS) passed a resolution declaring that sexual relations in the context of marriage but without the intent to conceive children were not sinful. (1)-- 50 years ago - Apr 28, 1960

John Whitmer and W. W. Phelps and his son Waterman leave Missouri for Kirtland, arriving May 17. (2)-- 175 years ago - Apr 28, 1835

An abandoned child was left at the door of Mrs -- The first circumstance of the kind known in Salt Lake City. (1)-- 140 years ago - Apr 27, 1870

Lieutenant in Colonel E. J. Steptoe's command in Salt Lake City writes to friend about his romance and near seduction of one of the wives of Brigham Young's son Joseph (who is on a mission): "Mary [Ayers] Young and I had to give up. Brigham sent me word that if I took her away he would have me killed before I could get out of the Territory. He is a man of his word and little matters of this sort are concluded, I had better not do it, although I went back to the city purposely to get her. We wrote each other affectionate notes." (2)-- 155 years ago - Apr 27, 1855

1 - Richards, Franklin Dewey and Little, James A., Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Church Chronology, Ch.66, p.3062 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com3 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45

Thomas B. Marsh is sustained as president of the Quorum of the Twelve. Most of the Twelve meet to prepare for their mission east. Orson Pratt has not returned from another mission since his calling was announced. He arrives in Kirtland just as the meeting begins, enters the room dramatically, and is ordained by David Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery. We received our charge from Joseph Smith the Prophet. (1)-- 175 years ago - Apr 26, 1835

Brigham Young instructs newly appointed missionaries: "There is another vary important subject which I wish to speak of & that is the temptation you will have from women. This has caused the down fall of more Elders in this Church than any other thing. There is some Elders who go on there missions all there lives and keep themselves clean & pure all there lives. Others come home and are shady. Their Countenance Falls. They Cannot look you straight in the Eye. They [have] fallen in the snare. Joseph said in speaking to the first Twelve that they would have to watch against this snare For they would have more trouble from this source than any other. Now let every woman alone while you are gone. Don't lay your hand upon any woman, but keep yourselves clean. Some have to bring a group of women with them. They have to get a new dove into their house while they are gone. Let those things alone while abroad. But what is done upon that subject let it be done here." (1)-- 150 years ago - Apr 25, 1860

"Apostle Brigham Young Jr. writes, "Presidency cannot Consent to have our people promise to obey the 'law,' repudiate all wives but one, tho' some of the brethren who are actually obeying the law want to know what the difference is. In our circle meeting this afternoon I had a strong intimation or impression, I thought of the spirit, that Joseph F. Smith & myself will wear this anti Polygamy law out, and ere long we shall ride in these streets with our wives and children." Five months later Wilford Woodruff issues the Manifesto. (1)-- 120 years ago - Apr 24, 1890

Smith, the Mormon Prophet, was recognised, on Wednesday last, by Justice Miller of this village, for his appearance at the next Court of Common Pleas, to answer to a charge of Assault and Battery committed upon the person of his brother-in-law. [The hearing is postponed when the brother-in-law leaves the state for a time.] -- (2)-- 175 years ago - Apr 24, 1835

[Joseph Smith] Emma Smith argues that the Nauvoo high council is the presiding authority of the church and that William Marks is the lawful successor to her husband. She bases this on an 1835 revelation (D&C 107). (3)-- 165 years ago - Apr 24, 1845

THE CHURCH NEWS quotes First Presidency Counselor Reuben J. Clark: "I am not a strict constructionalist, believing that we seal our eternal progress by what we do here. It is my belief that God will save all of His children that he can; and while, if we live unrighteously here, we shall not go to the other side in the same status, so to speak, as those who lived righteously; nevertheless, the unrighteous will have their chance, and in the eons of the eternities that are to follow, they, too, may climb to the destinies to which they who are righteous and serve God, have climbed to those eternities that are to come" (1)-- 50 years ago - Apr 23, 1960

The rebuilt Gadfield Elm Chapel, the oldest LDS chapel in England that was constructed in 1836 by members of the United Brethren and given to the Church four years later after 600 members of that faith joined the Church en masse, was rededicated by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve. (2)-- 10 years ago - Apr 23, 2000

Church News announces that from 1830 to 2000, more than 100 million copies of the Book of Mormon were printed in several dozen languages. The milestone was reached in late February or early March of 2000. The 100th language version was also printed this year. (1)-- 10 years ago - Apr 22, 2000

Future apostle John Henry Smith writes in his missionary journal, " When I got up this morning I found that Sister Ellen Drybury had went to work and washed out my stockings and got them dry for me. It is the first time one of the sisters had been so thoughtfull, and I shall ever remember her thoughtfullness as my stockings were very nasty." (3)-- 135 years ago - Apr 22, 1875

The name of the Post Office at Commerce was changed to "Nauvoo.". (2)-- 170 years ago - (Tue) Apr 21, 1840

Captain William Losey is killed by bomb during Nazi invasion of Norway, first U.S. serviceman to die in World War II. A returned LDS missionary, he is military aide to U.S. ambassador. Despite his and other American deaths in Nazi war zone, United States remains officially neutral until Dec. 1941. (3)-- 70 years ago - Apr 21, 1940

First Presidency of the Church announces a new Church History Library in Salt Lake City (5-floor building). (1)-- 5 years ago - Apr 20, 2005

Apostle George F. Richards writes: "I obtained permission from President Geo. Albert Smith for my Sons Oliver and Ray and their wives to receive their Second Anointings." (2)-- 60 years ago - Apr 20, 1950

[Financial] In an interview with the First Presidency, a young stake president named Harold B. Lee is asked to develop a new church program to provide emergency assistance to needy members. On April 18 of the following year, Lee is called to preside over the Church Security Program (renamed Church Welfare Program in 1938). Initially devised to help members who had been impoverished by the Great Depression, the Church Welfare Program is declared a permanent undertaking of the church on April 5, 1949. (3)-- 75 years ago - Apr 20, 1935

Recognition of the Church in the Ivory Coast, the center of French West Africa, was announced at a special meeting of Church members in Abidjan. (2)-- Apr 19, 1991

Two new quorums of the Seventy were announced. The Seventh Quorum was created in a division of the Fourth Quorum and the Eighth Quorum was organized by dividing the Third Quorum. (2)-- 5 years ago - Apr 19, 2005

1 - Larsen, Stan (editor), A Ministry of Meetings:The Apostolic Diaries of Rudger Clawson, Significant Mormon Diaries Series No. 6, A Rudger Clawson Chronology, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City 19932 - Church News: Historical chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Brigham Young's office journal records: "L[orenzo] Snow called in and enquired in the course of conversation if he thought the emigration would meet with any hindrances from the US. The President said he did not, and expected the U[nited] States would burst up in five years. Conversation changed to the subject of polygamy and the Pres[ident] remarked the very women that object to a plurality wives would not object to a plurality of husbands. Pres[ident] Buchanan has five mistresses . . . and they have illegitimate children by them." (1)-- 150 years ago - Apr 16, 1860

During a two day conference, Church members and their Leaders in the British Isles vote to publish the Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star. This was published monthly all the way up to 1970 - 130 Years! (2)-- 170 years ago - Apr 16, 1840

[Mark Hofmann] Letter of David and Peter Whitmer to Bethell Todd (dated 12 August 1828) sold to LDS church for $1,500 by Hofmann. (3)-- 25 years ago - Apr 16, 1985

U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., while watching a performance of "Our American Cousin." (2)-- 145 years ago - Apr 14, 1865

Speaking at Brigham Young University, Mary Elizabeth Lightner, plural wife of Joseph Smith says, "I went forward and was sealed to him [Joseph Smith]. Brigham Young performed the sealing, and Heber C. Kimball the blessing. I know he [Joseph] had six wives and I have known some of them from childhood up. I knew he had three children. They told me. I think two are living today but they are not known as his children as they go by other names." (3)-- 105 years ago - Apr 14, 1905

1 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-452 - Church News: Historical chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints3 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com

Manchester, New York. Joseph Smith received Doctrine & Covenants 22, a revelation directing converts who had been previously baptized in other churches to be rebaptized as members of the Church. (2)-- 180 years ago - Apr 13, 1830

Steven F. Christensen, who purchased the Salamander letter in January 1984 from Mark Hofmann, donates it to the church. Only after Hofmann leaks copies and a session of MHA is devoted to it is the text published in the Church News. (1)-- 25 years ago - Apr 12, 1985.

President Lincoln assassinated. (2)-- 145 years ago - Apr 12, 1865

Hosea Stout writes in his diary: "At home until about two o'clock and then went with my wife to the Masonic Hall to a feast of beer and cakes prepared by the Old Police. The Old Police and wives and some of the Twelve were present; we had a joyful time, as much cakes and beer as we could eat and drink; we broke up about nine o'clock p.m. and I then came home." (3)-- 165 years ago - Apr 12, 1845

Church at Fayette is organized. Oliver delivers the first public address about the church at the home of Peter Whitmer. Oliver baptizes Hiram Page and Catherine Whitmer Page in Seneca Lake. Also baptized: Christian, Anne, Jacob, and Elizabeth Whitmer. (1)-- 180 years ago - Apr 11, 1830

Hiram Page acquires a seer stone of his own and receives revelations (contrary to Joseph Smith's), the Whitmers and Oliver Cowdery believe Page's revelations. (2)-- 180 years ago - After Apr 11, 1830

[Joseph Smith] A Fayette, New York, branch of the church is established. Cowdery delivers the first public discourse of the church and performs baptisms. A revelation is received regarding individuals who have been baptized in other Christian churches (BC 23; LDS D&C 22; RLDS D&C 20). [FAYETTE,] (3)-- 180 years ago - 1830 11-16 April

Changes in the temple ceremony that eliminated symbolic violence and somewhat broadened the role for women trigger articles by the Associated Press, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Time Magazine, U.S. News and World Report, and many local papers. Mormons who are quoted include Rebecca England, Ross Peterson, then co-editor of Dialogue, Allen Roberts, Ron Priddis, Robert Rees, Keith Norman, various public relations officers, and me, all of whom make comments ranging from favorable to complimentary. Various former Mormons, including Sandra Tanner, make critical comments. Acting on instructions, reportedly from President Hinckley, the area presidents of the quoted Mormons are interviewed by their stake presidents. (The single exception seems to be Beverly Campbell, church public relations officer in Washington, D.C., who tells Ron Priddis that she has not been called in.) My stake president says he has been asked "to call you in and see if you had violated any of your covenants of secrecy." Mine is a cordial meeting with a productive and mutually respectful discussion. Other meetings are less cordial. Ross Peterson's stake president, Bill Rich, acting on instructions from the area presidency, Elders William Bradford, Malcolm Jeppsen, and Richard P. Lindsay, take away his (expired) temple recommend. In a follow-up meeting the area presidency threaten "further action" and refer to a thick file containing materials dating back to the 1960s on Ross, an active Democrat in Cache Valley for many years. It is only after a flood of letters and phone calls to church headquarters, plus individual lobbying of general authorities by Ross's friends, that Rich reissues a recommend in June. He does not require a prior bishop's interview. Keith Norman presents a paper at the 1990 Sunstone Symposium in Washington, D.C., coincidentally the weekend that the temples are closed to effect the changes. He discusses the church's need to disassociate itself from violence, citing blood atonement and the ready public identification of RLDS cult murderer Jeff Lundgren in Kirtland, Ohio, with Mormonism as evidence, and suggesting that temple penalties have "outgrown their usefulness." In early August Bishop David Marchant "reluctantly told him that he had been instructed to deny Keith a temple recommend for one year, after which he could have a recommend if he had repented. When Keith asked of what he needed to repent, his bishop replied, 'I don't know.'" Marchant had read the Sunstone paper prior to delivery and found it unobjectionable. He also failed to identify problems in the quotations from Keith that appear in the Los Angeles Times article. When Marchant brings the matter up with Stake President Zane Lee, Lee respo nds, "The decision has been made. There is no further discussion." Keith, who currently has no recommend, conducts Sunday school song practice and instructs the deacons' quorum (which includes being a counselor in the Young Men's presidency and assistant scoutmaster). A calling as assistant high priests' group leader is first issued, then withdrawn. His wife Kerry, the roadshow director, is specifically told not to have Keith, who wrote the previous (winning) script, write this year's. (2)-- 20 years ago - Apr 10, 1990.

- Both U.S. Senate and House propose bills to disfranchise all Mormons. With delaying tactics by Mormon allies in Congress, these two bills make slow progress into summer, but Supreme Court decision in Feb. 1890 assures eventual enactment. (3)-- 120 years ago - Apr 10-11, 1890

[Black Hawk War] The Black Hawk Indian War was the longest and most destructive conflict between pioneer immigrants and Native Americans in Utah History. The traditional date of the war's commencement is 9 April 1865 but tensions had been mounting for years. On that date bad feelings were transformed into violence when a handful of Utes and Mormon frontiersmen met in Manti, Sanpete County, to settle a dispute over some cattle killed and consumed by starving Indians. An irritated (and apparently inebriated) Mormon lost his temper and violently jerked a young chieftain from his horse. The insulted Indian delegation, which included a dynamic young Ute named Black Hawk, abruptly left, promising retaliation. The threats were not idle - for over the course of the next few days Black Hawk and other Utes killed five Mormons and escaped to the mountains with hundreds of stolen cattle. Naturally, scores of hungry warriors and their families flocked to eat "Mormon beef" and to support B lack Hawk, who was suddenly hailed as a war chief. (1)-- 145 years ago - Apr 9, 1865

Lorenzo Snow returns to Nauvoo and brings tithing he has collected consisting of money and in-kind donations including a six-pound cannon. (2)-- 165 years ago - Apr 9, 1845

Brigham Young instructs bishops "when a Bishop fully magnified his office they would preside over there wards as a man does over his family. The Bishop would dictate to every man woman & Child what they should [do]. No one shall be Idle but all should labor. The Bishop would then dictate to every man what he should raise and how much and every one should be set to work and when any one in the ward should have bread all should have it. Well says the poor shiftless man that never earned a home or a pair of shoes I would like that doctrine for then I would have a house as big as Brigham Young. No you would not until you earned it." (1)-- 150 years ago - Apr 8, 1860

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith and his clerk, Robert B. Thompson, prepared credentials for Orson Hyde recommending him as a worthy representative of the Church to the Jews in foreign lands. His ultimate destination was Jerusalem, Palestine. (2)-- 170 years ago - about Apr 8, 1840

1 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com2 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith3 - Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,

We are excited to announce the arrival of Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith's Ohio Revelations by Mark L. Staker, published by Greg Kofford Books. We will have the author at our store to speak about and sign his book on Wednesday, April 14, 2010. Mark will be here from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., speaking at 6:00, and will answer questions and sign books before and after that time.

Speaking of the early revelations in 1856, Brigham Young lamented: "These revelations, after a lapse of years, become mystified [sic] to those who were not personally acquainted with the circumstances at the time they were given." He went on to hypothesize that eventually these revelations "may be as mysterious to our children…as the revelations contained in the Old and New Testaments are to this generation."

Staker has attempted to reverse this trend by providing rich, detailed context (including many previously unpublished historical photos) to these foundational texts of Mormonism. Fleeting figures such as Black Pete, previously only brief mentions in histories of the period, are now fleshed out into chapter-length depictions. Drawing on his training in anthropology, the author gives needed background to early enthusiastic practices among the "Mormonite" community such as "sailing in the boat to the Lamanites" described by John Whitmer. Staker describes different religious practices such as the "shout tradition" among black Methodists and the "barking" of the Campbellites and shows their influence on the Mormons.

Many of the early Ohio converts would later become powerful leaders and household names among the Latter-day Saints: Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, N. K. Whitney and Orson Hyde among others. Staker draws on both familiar and obscure sources to tease out the relationships (family, business, church) between these early converts and their collective entry into Mormonism.

Building on earlier treatments of this period (such as Building the City of God and Heavens Resound), Staker takes an in-depth look at the financial side of Ohio . One of the four sections of the book analyzes consecration, showing the critical role that N.K. Whitney played. The final section digs into the complex structure of the ambitious Kirtland Safety Society, providing more detail on this volatile episode than ever before.

Richard Bushman had this to say about Hearken, O Ye People:

"I am not aware of a more deeply researched and richly contextualized study of any period of Mormon church history than Mark Staker's study of Mormons in Ohio . We learn about everything from the details of Alexander Campbell's views on priesthood authority to the road conditions and weather on the four Lamanite missionaries' journey from New York to Ohio . All the Ohio revelations and even the First Vision are made to pulse with new meaning. This book sets a new standard of in-depth research in Latter-day Saint history."

Hearken, O Ye People is sure to become a classic of Mormon history, due to its rich detail (nearly 700 pages) and exhaustive contextual value.

We hope you will be able to attend this event, which is sure to be informative and interesting, but if you cannot, you may order a copy which can be signed or personalized and held or shipped to you.

Brigham Young announces: "When I present the authorities of this Church for the Conference to vote upon, there if there is a member here who honestly and sincerely thinks that any person whose name is presented should not hold the office he is appointed to fill, let him speak. I will give full liberty, not to preach sermons, nor to degrade character, but to briefly state objections, and at the proper time I will hear the reasons for any objections that may be advanced." Mormon diarist writes that "a wonder among the Saints" occurs during sustaining, when one man votes against Heber C. Kimball. He remains first counselor, but identity of dissident is unknown. (2)-- 150 years ago - Apr 7, 1860

[Joseph Smith] Nauvoo, Illinois. Talitha Garlik Avery Cheney records that she was baptized by the Prophet in the Mississippi River in the evening after the Tuesday session of the Churchs conference. (3)-- 170 years ago - about Apr 7, 1840

At general conference, a special jubilee year celebration was inaugurated. Charitable actions, reminiscent of Old Testament jubilee celebrations, included rescinding half the debt owed to the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company, distribution of cows and sheep among the needy, and advice to the Saints to forgive the worthy poor of their debts. (1)-- 130 years ago - Apr 6, 1880

"The message of the Ages" performance in Salt Lake Tabernacle as first historical pageant of the LDS church. It involves 1,500 persons. On Jul 24 "Footprints on the Sands of Time" is first pageant at Hill Cumorah, near Palmyra, New York. Since Jul 1937 official "Cumorah Pageant" occurs annually. Renamed "America's Witness for Christ," pageant attracts 100,000 people at its fiftieth anniversary in 1987. Similar LDS pageants develop at other sites from Calgary, Canada, to Manti, Utah, to Auckland, New Zealand. (2)-- 80 years ago - Apr 6, 1930

1 - Church News: Historical chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints2 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com3 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985

Willard Richards: Appointed apostle by written revelation 8 July 1838, ordained 14 Apr. 1840, but never sustained as a "prophet, seer, and revelator" (2)-- 170 years ago - Apr 4, 1840

Brigham Young calls a special meeting of the First Presidency and Apostles to review Orson Pratt's recent public confession. Young is upset that Pratt has only apologized to Young without admitting that the doctrine he taught was wrong. Young says, "I want him to say that his views are contrary to truth and right; his sermon represents me to the world as a tyrant trammeling them to believe as I do right or wrong; it is my calling President to see that right doctrines are taught." Pratt replies "In regard to Adam being our Father and God . . . I frankly say, I have no confidence in it, . . . " Pratt's heretical view later becomes Church doctrine and Young's doctrine later becomes heretical. (3)-- 150 years ago - Apr 4, 1860

Salt Lake City's LDS mayor cautions Brigham Young that William A. Hickman has been useful as a dog to protect Mormon flock but should now be removed because he is also killing Mormons within the fold. (1)-- 150 years ago - Apr 3, 1860

[Mark Hofmann] Christensen tells Salt Lake Tribune that tests show Harris letter to be authentic, that researchers are preparing it for publication, and that their findings will be announced at the Mormon History Association annual meeting in May. (2)-- 25 years ago - Apr 3, 1985

1 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com2 - Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,3 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985

Neal Chandler's elders' quorum president calls him as instructor. Chandler "suggests that for complicated historical reasons this was probably not a good idea." The president insists. The entire bishopric, two high councilors, and a counselor from the stake presidency attend the meeting. One vigorously challenges virtually every point, despite the elders' quorum president's characterization of the lesson as "completely uncontroversial." The quorum president affirms that he wants Chandler to continue and will "get back to him," but Chandler is never asked to teach the class again. (1)-- 25 years ago - Spring 1985.

The first general conference to be held in the new Conference Center convened, with more than 400,000 requests for free tickets, far exceeding the 21,000-seat capacity of the hall. (2)-- 10 years ago - Apr 1, 2000-2

Solemn assembly sustains newly ordained Gordon B. Hinckley as LDS president, first time in Mormon history that solemn assemblies have sustained two new presidents within six-month period. For first time, females are asked to vote according to their auxiliary membership, Young Women (ages 12 to 18) and Relief Society (age 18+), in imitation of traditional voting-pattern for males according to their priesthood quorums. Announcement of end of Regional Representative calling, effective Aug 15, to be replaced by Area Authorities. These officers will be high priests serving without financial compensation for six years, while they "continue their current employment, [and] reside in their own homes." Number of Area authorities is intended to be substantially smaller than 284 Regional Representatives serving at this date. (3)-- 15 years ago - Apr 1, 1995

1 - Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.12 - Church News: Historical chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints3 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com